Sounds like young families that wouldn't want to move out given financial circumstances is the sweet spot.

There will be some sweet equity involved for you but you'll learn a lot.If it were me I'd do the following 1.

Do I keep it short and sweet and let them know I am interested in potentially buying the property?

Many investors discount California, without realizing that our tax base per Prop 13, makes investing here pretty sweet. 

Get better cash flow or just move back into it.People are almost always sorry that they took equity out of a nice nest egg.And if the property is in CA, you've locked in your tax base to the purchase price with only around max 2% increase per year, which is really sweet. 

So, you need to offer them a sweet deal that is better than them just waiting until next summer to sell it and possibly get more money for it in a hot market - I'm assuming the market in Portland is normally hot. 

Hyperikon also makes pretty sweet bulbs, stay between 2700K and 3000K there as well.

Most kids are responsible people because their parents have high hopes and standards for them after all the expensive school fees.Look for students with good grades and you'll find the sweet spot: rich AND responsible kids.

I wish they called me Sweet Max...

Both very sweet and respectful.